Crime & Safety

150 Zephyrhills Inmates Test Positive For Coronavirus

The Florida Department of Corrections says more than 150 inmates housed at the Zephyrhills Correctional Institution have tested positive.

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The Florida Department of Corrections says more than 150 inmates housed at the Zephyrhills Correctional Institution have tested positive.
The Florida Department of Corrections says more than 150 inmates housed at the Zephyrhills Correctional Institution have tested positive. (FDC)

ZEPHYRHILLS, FL — The Florida Department of Corrections says more than 150 inmates housed at the Zephyrhills Correctional Institution, 2739 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills, have tested positive for the coronavirus.

The department of corrections made the announcement Wednesday, noting that the institute houses about 624 inmates.

The department said the majority of inmates at the facility who tested positive have mild or no symptoms. All inmates are being provided medical care and are being monitored by health care professionals.

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As the health care provider for inmates, FDC cannot provide additional specifics regarding the unit in order to protect their protected health information.

To keep Florida residents, inmates at the facility and visitors safe and aware about the status of the virus, FDC is issuing regular updates as information becomes available.

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In addition to measures already in place to protect inmates, the FDC initiated the following actions:

  • Zephyrhills CI transitioned to providing all services including medical services and meals to inmates within their housing units.
  • All inmates are being monitored by health services staff and temperature checks are being conducted daily.
  • Institutional response teams have been activated to address emerging needs.
  • FDC has initiated broad-based testing at the correctional institution. All inmates and staff at Zephyrhills CI are being offered tests.
  • All staff and inmates have been issued and are required to wear cloth face coverings. Staff have the option of wearing an FDC-provided cloth face covering, their own approved personal cloth face covering/medical-grade mask or obtaining a surgical-grade mask from the institution.
  • Rigorous cleaning throughout the institution was already in place and has been heightened as a result of the test results.
  • Additional surgical-grade masks, N95 masks and Tyvek suits are available for staff treating inmates. Additional PPEs including eye protection, shoe covers and caps are also available and additional supplies are on standby for distribution if needed.
  • All inmates with a positive test result have been placed in medical isolation.
  • Inmate transfers to and from the facility have been temporarily suspended.
  • Inmates continue to have access to the canteen through individual orders.
  • Inmates continue to have access to communication with family and loved ones through phone and JPay kiosks.

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